Peter Gilmore enjoyed mucking around in the kitchen from an early age, deciding by age 14 that he wanted to be a chef1. He completed his first apprenticeship by 19 and then travelled to the UK to gain experience at various country House Hotels and premium Hotels in London. Three years later he returned to Australia and worked at Avonleigh Country House in the Blue Mountains, Pond with Guillame Brahimi in Sydney and as Head Chef at De Beers in Whale Beach2.
In contrast to most of the other chefs on our list Gilmore never apprenticed at any Michelin-starred outfits. Instead he has created his own original style that plays heavily with textures which is “inspired by Asian cooking”3. His style is also part of a movement called 'nature-based cuisine', which draws inspiration from nature and makes “use of herbs and flowers and rare and unusual vegetables” to add a “really large palate”4 to the cuisine and allow for a diverse expression of flavours.
Number 1 in our list of the top ten restaurants of Australia is Peter Gilmore's Quay. In it's second year in the World Top 100 Restaurant list, Quay came in at number 27 and earned the title of Best Restaurant in Australiasia. It also retains 3 hat status in the SMH Good Food Guide and 3 stars in Gourmet Traveller magazine into 2011.
Overlooking Sydney Cove, Quay features stunning views sweeping across from the Sydney Opera House at one end to the Sydney Harbour Bridge at the other end. The dishes are as aesthetically pleasing as the views, they are beautifully plated with vibrant colours in forms that draw inspiration and metaphors to scenes and objects from nature. Past the superficial, the menu doesn't fail to deliver quality and creativity. Textural variety and complexity is a notable feature of Peter Gilmore's cooking and is showcased in dishes such as the Jackfruit Snow Egg or the Eight Textured Chocolate Cake. Rare and unusual ingredients are sourced from around Australia to create dishes that are as much about balance as they are about contrast of flavours and textures. Dining at Quay is a captivating experience that showcases the great diversity and quality that modern Australian cuisine can offer, set amidst some of the most iconic scenery that Australia can offer. Check out the videos of head chef Peter Gilmore talking about some of his signature dishes at Quay.
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